CHOICE ORIGINAL 1812 HALF EAGLE, PCGS MS62 WITH CAC APPROVAL

BD-1, R-3. Wide 5D.

This historically significant coin, struck while the United States was at war with Great Britain, represents a wonderful opportunity for a type collector to obtain a really choice Capped Bust Left half eagle. As a date, the 1812 is common through AU58 but it is tough to find in the lower Uncirculated grades, scarce in properly graded MS62 and rare in MS63 and above.

This very sharply struck example is an early die state with no clashmarks and sharp central details. It appears to have never been cleaned or lightened and it shows very attractive "antique" greenish-gold hues on both sides There are some light, well-hidden diagonal adjustment marks on Liberty's cheek; what appears to be a defect on the horizontal lines of the shield is a die engraver's mark which is seen on most 1812 BD-1 half eagles.

The last PCGS/CAC MS62 1812 half eagle to sell at auction brought $18,213 as Heritage 2/14: 5359.

This is the best available quality for this date at under $20,000 and it would fit well into a connoisseur's date set of Capped Bust Left half eagles.

CAC has approved 9 in this grade with 29 finer.